Press Conferences

Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi: I have two announcements at the outset.

Based on the Cabinet decision adopted today, the reorganization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will take effect on August 1.

As you probably already know, this reorganization will create a cross-functional structure that will enable MOFA to carry out tasks as demanded by the times amid a rapidly changing international situation.

In addition, to accelerate preparations for the GREEN×EXPO 2027 to be held in Yokohama from March 2027, the International Horticultural Expo 2027 Office will be established, also effective as of August 1.

Under this new structure, MOFA will pursue foreign policy more swiftly and strategically than ever before.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Second is about the Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

The newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun of the ROK will be visiting Japan from today to tomorrow.

Japan and the ROK are important neighbors which should work as partners on challenges in the international community.

At the Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ meeting and working dinner later today, I would like to have extensive discussions with Minister Cho on progressing Japan-ROK relations stably, as well as on regional and international situations, cooperation among Japan, the ROK, and the U.S. to foster trust between the two countries.

That concludes my opening remarks.

Nikkei Shimbun, BABA: I would like to ask about foreign election interference during the House of Councillors election campaign. Within the Government, a series of warnings have been sounded about foreign election interference, and some are calling for the establishment of an office within the Cabinet Secretariat to deal with such interference. What is MOFA’s view on how to address this issue in the current severe international environment, and how does Japan intend to work together with like-minded countries?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: We believe that we need to firmly counter the spread of disinformation on social media, as well as foreign election interference, both of which can occur during campaigns as you just mentioned.

The National Security Strategy also states that Japan will bolster the ability to respond to information warfare in the cognitive domain, including the spread of disinformation.

In addition, the National Cybersecurity Office was just established in the Cabinet Secretariat on July 1. I expect that this office will also carefully examine the matter you raised, among other issues.

MOFA is gathering and analyzing information on cyberspace activities related to Japan’s foreign policies by utilizing AI and other tools. Based on the findings, we are striving to conduct strategic external communication in a timely and appropriate manner. We will continue to take necessary measures while working closely with relevant ministries and agencies.

Furthermore, Japan has been conducting information sharing and consultations to strengthen capabilities to respond to foreign information manipulation, both within multilateral frameworks, such as the G7, as well as with like-minded countries, such as the U.S. We will continue to further strengthen our capabilities to respond in cooperation with countries that share the same concern about this issue.

Jiji Press, CHIBA: My question is related to Palestine. President Macron of France has announced that France will recognize Palestine as a state, and today, I understand France is calling on other countries to do the same at a United Nations meeting. France is the first G7 country to make such a recognition. What is your view on these developments? Also, please tell us once again about Japan’s position on this matter.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: As you are aware, Japan has consistently supported a two-state solution. There is no change in our position. Japan understands the wish of the Palestinians to establish an independent state and has supported their efforts toward that.

From this perspective, Japan is closely following with great interest the developments in the situation surrounding Palestine and international discussions, including the diplomatic recognition of Palestine you referred to.

Japan has sent a government delegation to the international conference that takes place in New York, serving as co-chairs of the Working Group on “Economic Viability of the Palestinian State”, together with Norway.

From the perspective of supporting the advancement of peace, we would like to continue to comprehensively examine the diplomatic recognition of Palestine, including its appropriate timing and manner.

Additionally, Japan, as its unique initiative to support Palestine, hosted a ministerial meeting of the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) on July 11 in Malaysia, which I participated in and co-chaired. At this meeting, the ministers adopted an action plan to assist the humanitarian relief, recovery and reconstruction, and the reform of the Palestinian Authority. Japan will follow up on the progress and continue to fully support the efforts of the Palestinian people.

Kyodo News, AYUKAWA: I would like to ask about the detention of Japanese nationals in China. According to some reports, regarding the judgments given to Japanese detainees, which the Government of Japan learned from Chinese authorities, out of 17 Japanese nationals who have been detained on grounds such as conducting espionage or endangering China’s national security, nine provided information to Japanese intelligence agencies in exchange for compensation. This is what China perceives, according to the reports. Could you please tell us if this is true?

Additionally, if you have any advisories for those who are visiting, staying, or permanently living in China for business or other purposes, please share them with us.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: First, on the reports you mentioned, I would like to refrain from answering in detail in order to protect the privacy of those concerned. Regarding the information gathering activities of the Public Security Intelligence Agency, I would like to direct your questions to the agency.

Regarding the risks of detention in China, the Government has been issuing alerts in various formats to Japanese nationals. That being said, we believe it is necessary to continue raising awareness about what to watch out for when traveling to and staying in China, including what kinds of acts may be deemed “espionage” in China and what activities may be considered illegal in China. In this context, on July 22, we once again issued an alert in the form of spot information. Please take a look at it for details.

We will continue to further enhance these advisories and take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals.

Additionally, we will continue to urge Chinese authorities for the early release of the detained Japanese nationals.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: My question is about north-west Africa. Next month a TICAD meeting is set to host over 50 countries, reflecting Japan’s very important role in the development of the African continent. Some reports are saying that the Polisario Front is going to be participating as representative of the so-called Sahrawi Republic, which is not recognized by Japan or by a majority of UN member states. The Japanese police agency has branded it as a terrorist group, as have some members of the Congress in the United States. My question is that, wouldn’t the Polisario participation in TICAD conflicts with the Japanese government’s policy of not recognizing it and branding it as a terrorist organization? Thank you.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Japan does not recognize the region you mentioned, commonly known as “Western Sahara,” as a state. There is no change in Japan’s policy of not inviting Western Sahara to TICAD 9.

That said, TICAD 9 is co-hosted by Japan and the African Union Commission (AUC), and we have been discussing with our co-host, the AUC, about the scope of TICAD’s participants. However, I would like to refrain from disclosing the details as they are matters of diplomatic communication.

Japan does not have a system for legally designating terrorist organizations. Therefore, it is not true that the Government of Japan has designated the Polisario Front as a terrorist organization, as you pointed out.

We are aware that the AUC, a co-host of TICAD, has invited Western Sahara, which is a member of the AU, to past TICAD meetings.

Independent Web Journal, HAMAMOTO: I have two questions about the espionage prevention law. At the meeting of the House of Councillors’ Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense on June 12, 2025, Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and others proposed enacting an espionage prevention law on par with those of other countries. In response to this, you expressed the view that “the matter should be examined from multiple perspectives while giving consideration to the fundamental human rights of the people,” and that “it is desirable to obtain sufficient understanding from the people.” Could you please elaborate a little more on your thoughts about the espionage prevention law?

In addition, Mr. KAMIYA, the leader of the Sanseito party, Mr. KITAMURA Haruo of the Conservative Party of Japan, and others have posted on X that they have begun exchanging views with conservative members of the Diet with the aim of passing an espionage prevention law during the extraordinary Diet session in autumn. Please share with us your opinion on these developments. Thank you.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: First of all, the Government has been taking necessary measures to protect critical national intelligence, including strengthening counterintelligence efforts.

While people often refer to the “espionage prevention law,” it is not necessarily clear what this so-called espionage prevention law entails. In this sense, I am questioning the appropriateness of discussing the law based solely on impressions.

I believe information protection in Japan has made considerable progress over the years. An example is the Act on the Protection of Specially Designated Secrets. This law, too, caused heated discussion, but was enacted after intense debate with demonstrators constantly surrounding the Diet. I was a member of the Board of Oversight and Review of Specially Designated Secrets of the House of Representatives from the beginning, and I later served as its chair. I believe that the so-called specially designated secrets across the various ministries and agencies are currently being managed properly.

In addition, other classified information, including defense secrets and secrets on the Japan-U.S. Alliance, are already covered under existing laws. Additionally, the Act on the Protection and Utilization of Critical Economic Security Information has been enacted, which has introduced a security clearance system. I believe there are already laws that protect classified information and other secrets quite extensively.

The Act on the Protection of Specially Designated Secrets stipulates a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to 10 million yen. While such existing laws already cover so-called national classified information, it remains unclear what the espionage prevention law is referring to. What kind of information will it cover, and what kind of acts will it penalize? What penalties will be imposed? At this stage, the term “espionage prevention law” is being used loosely without clarification on these questions. Therefore, I have stated that it must be examined from multiple perspectives and with caution.

Kyodo News, AYUKAWA: I would like to briefly ask about political affairs. A joint meeting of LDP members from both houses was held yesterday to review the House of Councillors election results. It has been reported that there are growing calls within the party for Prime Minister ISHIBA to step down. What are your thoughts on this as a member of the Cabinet supporting the Prime Minister? In addition, the ruling parties lost their majority in the House of Councillors election, which I believe can be described as a major defeat. What is your view on how responsibility should be taken for this election result?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: I would like to respond to this question outside of my capacity as Minister.

I also attended the joint meeting yesterday. I was there for the first three hours of the four and a half hours that the meeting is said to have lasted, as I had another engagement afterward. I refrained from speaking since I am a cabinet member, but I listened carefully to the remarks made by my fellow Diet members.

It seemed that they were speaking their minds freely, maybe too freely, in front of the Prime Minister/ LDP President. Nevertheless, I felt that it was somehow typical and perhaps a good tradition of the LDP that the discussion was held in such a manner, and I think the meeting was highly meaningful.

However, throughout the discussion, I strongly felt that there lacks an adequate understanding of the political situation that emerged from the results of the recent House of Councillors election. As the ruling parties have now lost their majority in both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, the ruling parties alone cannot move Japanese politics forward. Our policies are not aligned, and even if the opposition parties unite, it seems unlikely that they would be able to run the government. At the same time, we cannot allow a political stagnation. We continue to face challenges both at home and abroad, and they require swift and decisive action. In these circumstances, the question above all is how the LDP, which has long held the reins of government, should conduct itself. I believe this is the central question in the current political situation.

To say that the LDP President bears responsibility for the election results, and so does the party leadership, is a matter of course as an organizational theory. However, in the current political situation, I believe the responsibility borne by the Prime Minister is even greater. I gather that Prime Minister ISHIBA weighed the options and decided to remain in office in order to move Japanese politics forward without delay and without causing undue concern to the people, including following up on the tariff consultations with the U.S.

If that is the case, I would like to respect the Prime Minister’s decision and offer my full support.